Sensible energy policy demands discussion of nuclear option

It is encouraging that Peter Dutton intends to take nuclear power to the next election (“Large-scale reactors to be part of Liberals’ nuclear option”, 5/3).

While we will desperately need reliable baseload power to replace coal, there should be a caveat that no taxpayer-funded subsidies should be available like they are for renewables, and the industry should grow based on its stand-alone economics.

Australia has missed the boat in terms of competing with other countries to fabricate nuclear fuel rods from our plentiful uranium resources. However, in terms of creating value-add industries, any nuclear policy should allow the lucrative export options of both “yellow cake” uranium concentrate production and waste storage in a remote location with stable geology.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

The news from the Coalition that they are prepared to include large-scale nuclear reactors in their energy mix gives one hope that we will realise before it is too late that the Albanese-Bowen plan for renewables is heading towards the cliffs.

Having studied nuclear engineering and worked on the commissioning of a large-scale nuclear reactor in the 1960s, I think the claim that nuclear is still in development is absurd.

Small modular reactors are the latest development but all the principles and technologies remain on the same well-trodden path.

The vast majority of plant and equipment for a large-scale nuclear reactor power station is exactly the same as for coal-fired stations. The only difference is instead of a coal-fired boiler with all the plant required to handle coal, the heat is generated from a nuclear fusion reaction that continues for years without needing replacement.

R. Watson, Sunnybank Hills, Qld

Credit to Peter Dutton for committing to launch his nuclear power plan before the election. Time is of the essence.

People need to know where these large-scale reactors and the waste would go, how we source the enriched fuel, how much they cost and, more importantly, whether we have time. Some experts claim we might be able to do it by the 2040s but by then nuclear power in Australia “won’t be needed” because we would be operating with renewables, batteries and gas backup – far cheaper existing technologies.

Ray Peck, Hawthorn, Vic

To make the case for nuclear power, Peter Dutton will need to explain why reactors here would not experience the same problems that have plagued Britain’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant.

When Hinkley was first announced around 2010, its cost was to be £9bn and its completion date 2017. The cost has now risen to £34bn and the completion date has been pushed back to 2029 at the earliest.

This is not a blueprint for cutting people’s power bills. Renewables are a far cheaper way to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Ken Enderby, Concord, NSW

Tony Grey’s article (“Top 20 economies can’t all be stupid embracing nuclear”, 5/3) supporting a nuclear industry for Australia by pointing to other countries that have invested in nuclear power ignores some major differences between these countries and Australia. First, Australia would be starting a nuclear industry from scratch, which would conservatively take 15 to 20 years and billions of dollars to establish.

Second, Australia has abundant solar and wind, which makes comparison with European countries like comparing apples with oranges.

Sunshine is abundant and our extensive coastline provides consistent winds. Studies have consistently concluded that renewables are the cheapest option for Australia.

Finally, Tony Grey fails to consider the issue of sufficient water for cooling and the problem of dealing with radioactive waste. Nuclear reactors require massive volumes of water for cooling and Australia is subject to regular droughts that would make this requirement difficult to maintain. Where will radioactive waste be stored, and how will it be transported there?

Nuclear does not make sense for Australia no matter how other countries are dealing with the problem of reducing their carbon emissions.

Graeme Lechte, Brunswick West, Vic